APPG for MS meets to discuss improving MS hospital care

What is the APPG?  

The APPG for MS is a cross-party group of MPs and peers committed to tackling issues that impact people living with MS. The group meets several times a year to hear about MS issues and work to make sure these issues are heard by the government. 

The MS Society supports the APPG as the group’s secretariat.  

What did the group discuss?  

The APPG for MS met to discuss the difficulties people with MS face accessing both planned and unplanned hospital care. And the areas where improvements are urgently needed.  

Peter Lloyd, Policy Manager at the MS Society, presented findings from our new report: ‘A Different Path: Rethinking MS hospital care.’ And why more must be done to improve neurology care and services. 

The group also heard from our volunteer Pippa, who shared her experience of planned hospital care. Our volunteer Nina then shared her experience of going into hospital on an unplanned basis.  

What does the report say?   

Our report sets out what hospital care is like for people with MS in England. We combined hospital activity data, a survey of people with MS, and conversations with clinicians. And the findings shows that MS hospital care is falling short. 

Hospital care plays a vital role in supporting people with MS. In the April 2023 to 2024 financial year, one in three people with MS were admitted at least once. Almost half had a neurology outpatient appointment. 

However, the healthcare system is under increasing strain. People are waiting longer for first neurology appointments. Access to treatment is often unequal. And many people are being admitted for preventable emergencies. 

Our report shows that the system isn’t working well enough for people with MS. It calls for urgent attention and investment in how hospital care is delivered, from ensuring consistency of care to supporting the workforce. 

Who spoke at the event?   

Our volunteer Pippa shared the challenges she faced when accessing specialist care. After seeing a GP with worrying symptoms, Pippa was faced with a 10 month wait for a neurologist. However, Pippa’s symptoms worsened. She tried to get help from A&E and her GP, but was turned away and told to wait for her neurology appointment. Pippa’s symptoms continued to worsen until she was finally admitted to A&E and diagnosed with MS. 

Pippa said: “I spent a week in hospital unable to walk because I couldn’t wait for a neurology appointment. It was a very isolating and lonely experience, and it could have been avoided if I’d been able to get help beforehand. Since leaving hospital I’ve been working with a physio, it took me a few weeks to regain my walking ability and I’m still in the process of regaining my strength.” 

What’s next for the APPG?  

The group will write to the Department for Health and Social Care about the findings of the report, and urge the need to improve the quality of MS hospital care.  

The APPG will meet again in November to reestablish the APPG for 2026. And hear about the latest developments in MS medical research and what they mean for developing new treatments.  

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